Page:Life and astonishing adventures of Peter Williamson (3).pdf/20

 20

unrepelled, or even unmolested to commit such outrages and incredible depradations and murders; for no torments, no barbarities that can be exercised on the human sacrifices they get into their power, are left untried or omitted. The three prisoners that were brought with these additional forces, constantly repining at their lot, and almost dead with their excessive hard treatment; contrived at last to make their escape; but being far from their own settlements, and not knowing the country, were, soon after met by some others of the tribes or nations war with us, and brought back to their diabolical masters, who greatly rejoiced at having them again in their infernal power. The poor creatures, almost famished for want sustenance, having had none during the time of their elopement, were no sooner in the clutches of the barbarians, than two of them were tied to a tree, and a great fire made round there, where they get remained till they were terribly scorched and burnt, when one of the villians, with his scalping knife ripe open their bellies, took out their entrails and burnt them before their eyes, whilst the others were cutting, piercing, and tearing the flesh from their breasts, hands, arms, and legs, with red-hot irons, till they were dead. The third unhappy victim was reserved a few hours longer, to be, if possible, sacrificed in a more